Morven Park
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Morven Park | |
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Morven Park, June 2009 | |
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| Location | 1 mile (1.6 km) northwest of Leesburg off U.S. 15, near Leesburg, Virginia |
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| Coordinates | 39°8′26.3″N 77°34′24.2″W / 39.140639°N 77.573389°WCoordinates: 39°8′26.3″N 77°34′24.2″W / 39.140639°N 77.573389°W |
| Built | 1780 |
| Architect | Lind & Murdock; Thomas Swann, Jr. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP Reference # | 75002022 |
| VLR # | 053-0087 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | February 18, 1975[1] |
| Designated VLR | November 19, 1974; March 13, 2008[2] |
Morven Park is a 1,000-acre historic estate and horse park in Leesburg, Virginia, United States, that includes the Westmoreland Davis Mansion, the Winmill Carriage Museum, where you can see rare antique carriages, stunning formal boxwood gardens, miles of hiking and riding trails, and athletic fields. The park is also home to the Museum of Hounds and Hunting, with displays of art, artifacts and memorabilia about the sport of foxhunting.
The Mansion, once the home of Thomas Swann, Jr., governor of Maryland during the Civil War and Westmoreland Davis, governor of Virginia during World War I, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Virginia Historic Landmark. The Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation operates Morven Park, which is a 501c3 nonprofit organization supported by donations from people who love the park.
History
The first structures on the site of Morven Park date to about 1780. A fieldstone house built by Wilson Cary Seldon is now a part of the north wing of the main house, stuccoed over to match the rest of the mansion. Judge Thomas Swann acquired the property about 1800. Around 1830 Swann built the center two-story portion of the house, with flanking pavilions. It is not known whether the pavilions were initially linked to the house, but the renovations included the prominent tetrastyle Greek Revival portico that dominates the front portico. While the brick structure remains, now stuccoed, none of the Swann interiors exist. Judge Swann's son, Thomas Swann Jr., began a remodeling program around 1850, using the Baltimore firm of E.G. Lind and William T. Murdock as architects, converting the Palladian house to the Italianate style with four towers, including one that was five stories tall, stated by The Buildings of Virginia to resemble Queen Victoria's Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. The pavilions were by this time linked to the main house. The towers were later removed by Thomas Swann Jr.'s daughter, Mary Mercer Swann Carter, and her husband, Dr. Shirley Carter. They made more changes, raising the height of the hyphens to two stories and reworking the interior.
Westmoreland Davis, a New York lawyer, had roots in Virginia and purchased Morven Park in 1903. He made Morven Park into an agricultural showpiece, while his wife developed formal boxwood gardens near the house.[3] He served as Virginia's governor from 1918 - 1922. He and his wife were the last private owners of the estate, which is now run as a nonprofit organization that raises money to keep the park open to the public.
From 1967 - 1991, Morven Park was home to the world-renown Morven Park International Equestrian Institute. The Institute was a training center for riding instructors, teaching advanced dressage, 3-day-eventing and show jumping. A number of expert riders trained at Morven Park went on to international equestrian competition. In its day, Morven Park was considered the most prestigious riding schools in the United States, and flourished under the direction of Major John Lynch, an instructor at the British Army Equitation School at Weedon, as well as at the English military academies of Sandhurst and Woolrich. He had been coach and trainer to British, Irish and American Olympic teams.
Morven Park Today
The Morven Park International Equestrian Center is undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation that will return it to the venerated horse park it once was. Work includes renovations to the former steeplechase course to transform it into a breathtaking turf (grass) course for flat races. Beginning in 2018, visitors will enjoy tailgating and picnics, hat contests and Virginia's best wines and cuisine all in a bucolic setting of Morven Park's country races. In the coming years, Morven Park will build new, modern barns; expand and enhance its outdoor arenas with high-quality footing and spectator friendly amenities; and renovate the large indoor arena transforming it into a multi-use event venue for horses, concerts, performing arts and more. Morven Park's treasured history among top riders, its rolling green countryside, and perfect location just outside Washington, D.C. make it one of the most coveted and prestigious equestrian destinations in the world.
References
- ↑ National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
- ↑ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ↑ Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Staff (November 1974). "National Register of Histroric Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Morven Park" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
External links
- Morven Park - Official website
- Museum of Hounds and Hunting
- Morven Park at the Journey Through Hallowed Ground
Morven Park's programs
With its 1,000 acres of rolling hills and pristine landscapes, Morven Park is considered to be the "Central Park" of rapidly growing Loudoun County, Virginia, the wealthiest county in the United States.[1] Every year, more than 200,000 visitors enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, museum tours, equestrian events, and field sports. As a nonprofit organization, Morven Park relies on donations from supporters to keep its gates open to visitors.
Morven Park is also the home of the Center for Civic Impact, which teaches civic skills that help prepare students in grades K - 12 to become engaged citizens. In partnership with Loudoun County Public Schools, this program complements elementary, middle and high school curricula, and expands, invigorates and connects classroom learning to the real world.
- ↑ Frankel, Matthew. "The 10 Richest Counties in the United States -- The Motley Fool". Retrieved 2016-09-22.